Artists Fined for Commemoration of Anti-Soviet Resistance Hero

The action of commemoration of Rascislau Lapicki was held on September 2.

The action of commemoration of Rascislau Lapicki was held on September 2.

The action of commemoration of Rascislau Lapicki was held on September 2.

The action of commemoration of Rascislau Lapicki was held on September 2.

The action of commemoration of Rascislau Lapicki was held on September 2.

Three painters and an opposition activist were sentenced to fines earlier this month over their celebration of the birthday of an anti-Soviet resistance fighter in Smarhon, Hrodna region, on September 2.

The men were found guilty of participation in an unsanctioned demonstration under Article 23.34 of the Civil Offenses Code, according to human rights defenders.

Artists Valiancin Varanishcha and Alies Cyrkunou were sentenced to fines of one million rubels ($120), while artist Hienadz Drazdou received a fine of three million rubels ($360) because he had been found guilty of the same offense in the past. Activist Uladzimir Shulzhycki was also sentenced to a fine of three million rubels.

The trial of prominent painter Alies Pushkin was postponed until September 24.

The five men were carrying four portraits of Rascislau Lapicki and passing out leaflets about the leader of an anti-Soviet youth resistance group who was executed in 1950 at the age of 21 when police officers apprehended them.

The portraits, painted by Mr. Pushkin, had just been consecrated in a local church.